Patriotic pride for the red, white and blue connects students to the nation and those who protect it. Two months ago, SU students displayed a passion for all four colors by collecting money for the city of Syracuse chapter of Habitat for Humanity’s first Veterans’ Build.

‘I was extremely happy to give back to the people who are doing the most for our country,’ said David Harding, a senior history major and member of the ROTC program.

More than 150 SU volunteers, including students in the ROTC program, fraternities, sororities and the student veteran organization, manned each gate of the Carrier Dome on Sept. 10 to ask for donations. Their fundraising efforts contributed to the cost of construction on two houses at 113 and 115 Fitch St. awaiting completion.

The event was organized by Eileen Jevis, public relations manager at SU’s University College, and Kristin Earle, resource development director for Syracuse Habitat, and raised more than $12,300. The money will support the organization’s effort to provide affordable housing to two disabled veterans and their families.

The organization scheduled the project, which was the first in New York state, for completion on Veterans Day, but the lack of funds will push it to a later date, Earle said.

Building and furnishing the houses costs about $140,000, Earle said. So Syracuse Habitat, which doesn’t receive funding from the government or the international branch of Habitat for Humanity, will reach out to other groups to try to raise the remaining $40,000.

Companies such as Carrier Corp., Lockheed Martin, Price Chopper and National Grid helped lessen the financial burden by donating $100,000 along with the funds raised at the SU event, Earle said. The contributions allow Syracuse Habitat to build and sell the houses for $70,000 and offer a three-year mortgage with 0 percent interest.

Mo Finn, a junior television, radio and film major and co-executive director of the SU chapter of Habitat for Humanity, helped connect Jevis and Earle with groups on campus to get enough volunteers for the fundraising in September.

‘The students had a huge impact on the event since they constituted the majority of the volunteers,’ Finn said. ‘None of this would have been possible without them.’

Although the houses have yet to be completed, the outpouring of community support for the veterans proves that raising the last $40,000 is a surmountable challenge. The combined efforts of SU students and community members exhibit the value placed on veterans in the Syracuse area.

‘It’s really moving,’ Earle said. ‘It’s great to see all of the organizations and people come together to provide housing for the veterans.’

admuller@syr.edu

Published on November 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm